Achieving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the Workplace, and Identifying and Addressing Microaggressions

The case has been made. Alicia Mojica Washington discusses why DEI is not only important to us as individuals, our businesses, and our communities, buts it’s essential. Essential to growth, sustainability, a meaningful life and meaningful relationships. We must take advantage of this opportunity to learn and create real change in our spaces. Implementing DEI initiatives can be challenging, but in this session we will discuss ideas that are approachable and achievable, no matter who you are or where you are.

In the second session, Omarys Vasquez will present a microaggression intervention workshop where we will explore examples of prejudice in the workplace and how to develop response strategies and expand your repertoire. Using real-life examples of discriminatory comments, Omarys will take the group on a journey of self-discovery that will inspire each other to be brave, lean into uncomfortable conversations and nurture a more inclusive and comfortable work culture. Together we will learn and work on patterns, programmed responses and open dialogue that you can practice in advance, should you experience or witness institutional bias.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop a better understanding of what DEI is and what it looks like in your firm.
• Discuss different company cultures and how to create a culture of accountability.
• Gain perspective, both personally and professionally, to improve operations in your firm.
• Explore examples of microaggressions.
• Learn how to begin to embark on erasing institutional bias.
• Learn how to advocate for yourself and how leaders can advocate for others.

Alicia Mojica Washington, Principal, Director of Marketing and JEDI, HRP Associates, Inc.

Alicia has 20 years of marketing experience in the A/E/C industry. Her experience includes marketing and business development support in the areas of environmental consulting, architecture, engineering, and construction. Alicia is a Principal and serves as the Director of Marketing and JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) for HRP Associates, Inc., a nationwide environmental consulting firm. Her responsibilities include oversight of corporate and client sector branding, development of industrial and governmental proposals and presentations, supervision of marketing communications functions including digital media productions, initiation of research and development opportunities, and management of the marketing department staff.

As JEDI Director, she is responsible for developing, promoting, supporting, and engaging diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Alicia has served as President for the Connecticut Chapter of the Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) and established their Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce, a board member and membership chair of the Construction Institute, Board of Advisor and Communication’s Chair for the Connecticut Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects and Board Member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.  Alicia served her local community as Chairwoman of the City Diversity Council.

Omarys Vasquez, AIA, NOMA, State Building Inspector, Department of Administrative Services.

Omarys is an Architect with over 17 years of experience and is the newly appointed Connecticut State Building Inspector by Governor Lamont and is the first person of color to serve in that role. Prior to her appointment, Omarys was an Associate and project manager with Svigals + Partners, working on a wide range of projects including those in the healthcare, academic, commercial, multi-family and transportation sector. She quickly became the firm’s in-house code expert and reviewed projects for code compliance, prepared code reports and coordinated internal code-related lessons for the upcoming code updates.

As a DEI advocate, Omarys is one of the founding members of the Connecticut Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMAct) and currently serves as the 2023-2024 President. She also serves on the University of Hartford Connecticut Department of Architecture’s Advisory Board and was a former committee member of the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Knowledge Community for the American Institute of Architects Connecticut. Omarys has also been named Connecticut Magazine’s “40 Under 40” Class of 2022.